Yet another Reese’s Book Club pick that I flew through! This month, the book club was assigned to read Northern Spy by Flynn Berry. As a thriller, this was definitely more my speed. However, I haven’t read an espionage, spy thriller in quite some time, so I was excited for the change of pace. Not to mention, the vivid setting was Northern Ireland, which took me on a trip across the ocean without ever leaving my reading chair.
I finished this book in one sitting. Granted, I have a tendency to do that when I am wrapped up in a good story. So, from now on when I tell you I finished a book in one sitting, that’s a solid indicator to you that the story is worth the read! Altogether, this story just worked for me. This was also the first book I’ve read by Flynn Berry, and I really enjoyed her writing style. It was the perfect balance between descriptive and detailed, and quick and easy-to-follow.
Northern Spy tells the dangerous story of two sisters, Tessa and Mirian, whose lives get entangled with the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Through Tessa’s point-of-view, loyalties to family, country, and selves are tested. Additionally, while this is crime fiction, espionage thriller novel, elements of the story deal with real life issues.
I believe my favorite part of the novel is something that isn’t often found in crime fiction/espionage thrillers: I felt the sense of urgency in the story while still having room to breathe. When I say that, I mean that Berry did an excellent job of telling a spy thriller story and simultaneously making sure that the story isn’t full throttle, action sequence after action sequence. Sometimes, especially during spy thrillers, there is so much action that you put the book down feeling pleasantly exhausted. That wasn’t the case with this novel.
I also appreciated the bond of sisterhood and family. Though the loyalties were tested, at time, family inevitably came first. Both sisters have the same, primal instinct to protect their family and remain loyal to one another. There is no bond that is stronger.
After doing some research on the conflict in Ireland once I finished the novel, I wish there had been more historical context and description of the conflict itself. Admittedly, I wasn’t educated on the topic at all, so parts of the book were foreign to me. I have also seen mixed reviews on the accuracy of the conflict in Ireland that is portrayed in this book.
I am no expert, so I can’t speak to the truths behind these reviews, so the best advice I can give is that this is a crime fiction story, not a non-fiction historical novel. As with any fiction book, it is meant to entertain and is not presented as fact. So, take that for what it’s worth!
I’m eager to see what the book club picks next!
If you’ve read this book or have any thoughts, I’d love to discuss.
Books and Bites with Brooke 